"Little research has been done in humans into the effects of amphetamine use on pregnancy and fetal growth. Experiments with
animals suggest, however, that use during pregnancy may produce adverse behavioral effects, such as
hyperexcitability, in offspring. And among humans, several cases have been documented of withdrawal symptoms among newborn infants of
mothers using amphetamines."

"Alcohol, like most other drugs, passes easily through the mother's placenta and into the fetal bloodstream. In the
fetus, the alcohol depresses the central nervous system and must be metabolized by the immature liver of the
fetus, which cannot effectively process this toxic substance. The alcohol stays in the fetus's body for a prolonged
time (even after leaving the mother's body) and the unborn child remains intoxicated, possibly suffering
withdrawal symptoms after the alcohol is no longer present."

"Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Each year, more than 50,000 babies are born
with some degree of alcohol-related damage. Although many women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause
birth defects, many do not realize that moderate-or even light-drinking also may harm the fetus."

"The implications of HIV transmission among drug users are profound. In Canada as in many other countries, the heterosexual
transmission of HIV is in part fed by the epidemic among injection drug users. The gravity of the situation is made more
apparent by consideration of the fact that the majority of injection drug users have non-injecting sexual partners. In addition,
women with HIV infection due to drug use or sexual activity with an injection drug user are at risk of bearing HIV infected
children."

"One in five pregnant women surveyed in 1991 said she smoked cigarettes, reports the CDC Office on Smoking
and Health, Atlanta. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth rate, high rates of SIDS (sudden infant
death syndrome), behavior problems, and learning difficulties. Further, children whose mothers smoke cigarettes
during pregnancy had significantly lower IQ scores, according to a study conducted by Cornell University and the
University of Rochester. The explanation: smoking apparently reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the
fetus."

"Some research studies suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in premature babies and in
low birth weights. Studies of men and women may have a temporary loss of fertility. These findings suggest that
marijuana may be especially harmful during adolescence, a period of rapid physical and sexual development."

"Cocaine can affect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in many ways. During the early months of pregnancy, it can cause a
miscarriage. When the drug is used late in pregnancy, it may trigger premature labor. It also may cause an unborn baby to die
or to have a stroke, which can result in irreversible brain damage."